Ship Operators call for greater support from Quebec

[Press review] As Quebec prepares for its pre-budget consultations, the St. Lawrence Ship Operators (SLS) are calling on the provincial government to return to the table with a renewed strategy for developing the marine corridor and revitalizing Short Sea Shipping. According to the association, expanding this mode of transportation would contribute to decarbonization by removing trucks from the road.

"There is still work to be done, and we know we can do more," said Saul Polo, Executive Director of the St. Lawrence Ship Operators, in an interview. "We have a blue highway running through the heart of our geography, and it's not going anywhere."

He emphasized that the needs of the economy continue to grow. "We are innovative, and we want to develop new projects that will encourage greater intermodal transportation," he added.

"Our goal is not to compete with other modes of transportation, but rather to explore how marine transportation can play a greater role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector," said Saul Polo. He added that both trucking and rail will always have an important role to play. "A single vessel with a capacity of 30,000 tonnes can replace the equivalent of 965 truck trips in one voyage," he noted. While vessels dedicated to Short Sea Shipping generally carry smaller loads, they still offer significant potential for reducing road traffic.

Brief to be submitted Friday

The St. Lawrence Ship Operators will submit a brief on the issue on Friday. In the interview, Polo recalled that a provincial government initiative ended on March 31, 2025. Since then, maritime stakeholders have no longer been able to submit new applications under the Maritime Infrastructure Investment Program (MIIP). The association is calling for greater predictability regarding the government's principal point of contact with the maritime industry, as well as clearer leadership within the government.

"We do have some concerns. In the past year alone, we've had three ministers responsible for the maritime transportation file," Polo said. "I understand there were circumstances behind those changes." He stressed that this has not prevented the association from continuing its advocacy efforts. However, the organization questions how its recommendations are communicated among ministers.

"The starting point is to restore a comprehensive maritime strategy," Polo reiterated.

SLS celebrates its 90th anniversary

Founded in 1936, the St. Lawrence Ship Operators are celebrating their 90th anniversary this year. Three individuals officially registered the association in April 1936. "However, the actual founding meeting took place in December 1936," Polo explained. "Eighteen captains and owners of schooners and coastal vessels came together at that time."

Over the decades, the association has adapted to major historical milestones, including the Second World War, the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in the late 1950s, the development of winter navigation, the container shipping revolution, and the opening of international markets. "The globalization of economies has naturally increased marine traffic," Polo added.

Today, the St. Lawrence Ship Operators represent 160 members, including 21 ship operator members and nearly 140 associate members. These include port authorities, shipyards, marine businesses, and numerous companies connected to the maritime sector. The association's territory extends from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Great Lakes, including the Saguenay region.

Article by Paul-Robert Raymond — Le Soleil

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